signify

1 of 2

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 

signified; signifying

transitive verb

1

a

: to be a sign of : mean

b

: imply

2

: to show especially by a conventional token (such as word, signal, or gesture)

intransitive verb

1

: to have significance : matter

… it will not much signify what one wears …

—Jane Austen

2

: to engage in signifying

signifié

2 of 2

noun

si·​gni·​fié

¦sēnyəf¦yā

plural -s

: significatum

Did you know?

Signify basically means "to make a sign or signal". One of its synonyms is indicate; the index finger is the finger you point with, so to indicate is essentially to point to something. Significant means "important" and significance means "importance;" similarly, insignificant means "unimportant" and insignificance means "lack of importance".

Synonyms of signify

Verb

• mean
• matter
• weigh

Examples of signify in a Sentence

Verb

A check mark next to your name signifies that you have met all the requirements.

The recent decline of the stock market does not necessarily signify the start of a recession.

He gave her a diamond ring to signify his love.

Whether he agrees or not does not signify.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Now that the race has been called, Becerra’s victory signifies how much Latinos have advanced since Pico’s days. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

The award signifies Lagos Fashion Week’s ability to help springboard talent into the international market, particularly in the US. — Ezreen Benissan, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026

Election experts say occasional problems with touch-screen machines don’t signify tampering or manipulation. — Jen Fifield, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026

This act was done in fulfillment of a sacred promise made by her parents, Saints Anne and Joachim, during their long struggle with childlessness, and signifies Mary’s lifelong devotion to God and her role in the Incarnation. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English signifien, from Anglo-French signifier, from Latin significare to indicate, signify, from signum sign

Noun

French, from past participle of signifier

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for signify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

signify

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 

signified; signifying

1

: mean entry 2 sense 2, denote

2

: to show especially by a sign : make known

signified their agreement by nodding

3

: to have importance : matter

doesn't signify much what you wear